Mala in Singapore are some of the best due to the diverse culinary scene, top-quality ingredients, and innovative variations. With authentic Sichuan influences, local eateries offer richly flavoured, customisable mala dishes. The use of fresh, good quality meats, vegetables, and spices ensures a memorable taste experience. Famous spots like Chinatown and various hawker centres provide an extensive range of mala options, from dry pot to hotpot. Singapore’s mix of customary methods and modern twists makes its mala a must-try for spice lovers.
Note: This list is strictly not in order.
1. Ri Ri Hong Mala Xiang Guo
Ri Ri Hong Mala Xiang Guo offers an affordable and flavourful Sichuan mala experience. With three stalls throughout the hawker centre, it is easy to find. Customers appreciate the budget-friendly pricing, as ingredients are charged per portion rather than by weight. Prices range from S$0.50 for rice to S$3 for seafood or lamb. Diners can customise their spiciness level from 0 to 3, ensuring a tailored experience. A typical meal, like a generous bowl with rice for S$7.50, is packed with flavour without overwhelming spiciness. Enjoying the best mala Singapore here is a true heartland experience, best paired with cold beer, but do put on a comfortable attire as the atmosphere can get quite hot when crowded.
Customer Reviews:
Joycee Hill
Situated amidst the eclectic hawker stalls at this food centre is “Ri Ri Hong”, offering Sichuan Mala cuisine. As there are about three “Ri Ri Hong” stalls throughout the hawker centre, you are bound to chance upon it. Give it a try if you are craving a decent Mala meal but hoping not to burn a hole in your pocket. As compared to typical Mala restaurants in shopping malls, this is affordable as they charge by portion instead of weight. Prices (per serving) are listed below:
$0.50 – Rice, $1 – Non-meat items, e.g., vegetables, tofu skin, noodles, etc., $2 – Chicken/pork meat items, $3 – Seafood/lamb items. The meal I ordered (see picture) cost me $7.50 which came with a big bowl of ingredients and rice. Mala in chinese means “numbness” and “spiciness”. You have a choice of spiciness level, from 0 to 3, level 0 being non-spicy. I went for level 1 (小辣 or small spiciness); the taste was just nice, enough spice and flavour, yet not overpowering or overly numb. $7.50 is slightly above the typical hawker fare so if you are not looking for Mala, you can try out the other hawker stalls. People’s Park Food Centre is where you can see Singaporeans in an authentic heartland context. You may even catch sight of retirees whiling away the afternoon over Chinese chess and mugs of beer/coffee!
Namwaa Panchanit
Great Place to eat Mala! Prices are okay. A bowl for two is about 20 SGD. We can choose the spicy level. I chose medium and its not very spicy!
Coconut Girl (coco girl)
Yummy mala xiang guo, best paired with cold cold beer. Wear comfortably the venue is very hot 🥵 but the food is good. 👍🏻
Website: –
Contact: –
Location: 32 New Market Rd, #01-1152, Singapore 050032
Opening Hours: Monday – Saturday: 10 AM – 9:30 PM | Sunday: 10:30 AM – 9:30 PM
2. Wan Xing Mala Hotpot
Wan Xing Mala Hotpot is a must-visit for mala enthusiasts in Singapore, offering a unique stir-fried dry mala that is perfectly spiced. Patrons love the quality of other dishes like 水煮鱼 (boiled fish) and 辣子鸡 (spicy chicken). The fresh crayfish is also a delightful addition. Conveniently located near Kovan MRT and with ample parking, Wan Xing Mala Hotpot is a great supper spot open till 4am, accommodating larger groups comfortably. The spacious, air-conditioned venue provides a pleasant dining experience. Although prices can vary, the extensive ingredient options and excellent service make Wan Xing Mala Hotpot a standout choice for flavourful, late-night dining.
Customer Reviews:
Nicole Yang
My go-to Mala spot in Singapore! Love the stir fried dry Mala, it’s not too numbing and just the right spice and kick (usually get 中辣 or 大辣). What surprised me is the quality of the other dishes served as well – the 水煮鱼 and 辣子鸡 were so fantastic. Crayfish were also fresh and yummy and all delightful to have. Location is convenient – at Kovan, with parking lots right outside the shop (5-10 steps away) along the street, or 1 bus stop or 5/7 mins walk away from Kovan MRT. Best part is that it opens till 4am and is a great supper spot, even for bigger groups (7-8 and above). You also usually won’t have troubles finding seats and the store is quite spacious (two units combined) and anything past 10 pm is comfortable seats wise. There is also soya bean next door and some desserts down the street which is a nice complement to the spice of the Mala. Many different ingredients on offer as well, price is reasonable (though one complain is that the price can differ based on day and who is cooking). Just take note that they don’t accept credit card so you will need to pay by cash or paynow/paylah. Aircon seats and outside seats for you to choose, depending on your preference. Another plus is there is a toilet at the location which is quite well kept / acceptable for private, public / shared toilet. Quite a lot of drinks options too! Overall would definitely recommend and will be back. I like the place!
Daniel Ong
Mala here is really expensive, but the variety of ingredients is also unmatched. They have uncommon items like duck, chicken gizzards, beef tripe, you tiao, and all their meats are vacuum sealed by their portions. The spice wasn’t toooo overwhelming for xiao la which is good, and it’s not very oily. You can also buy the popular Selegie soya bean/grass jelly from the store next door and bring it over to quell the spiciness as well. The place is air conditioned and clean, however, there’s no price list available to see how the price is derived. Our meal was $62 for 4 people.
Britney Khu
If you’re craving mala xiangguo, this neighborhood gem is worth a try. Their unique flavor sets them apart from the rest, and the massive range of ingredients ensures there’s something for everyone.
Website: https://wanxing.getz.co/
Contact: 9887 3317
Location: 1006 Upper Serangoon Rd, Singapore 534744
Opening Hours: 11 AM – 4 AM Daily
3. Ri Ri Sheng Mala Hotpot
Ri Ri Sheng Mala Hotpot, a favourite among some for five years, received positive reviews for its perfect balance of spice and numbness. The tender meats and savoury flavours set it apart, offering a multi-dimensional taste experience. The medium spice level leans towards a numbing sensation, with dried chilies enhancing the heat. Unlike conventional mala, it is less oily, making it a guilt-free indulgence. Located in a convenient spot, Ri Ri Sheng offers a consistent, flavourful mala xiang guo in Singapore that is both satisfying and addictive, enticing patrons to keep coming back for more.
Customer Reviews:
Louisa
Honestly my favourite mala in the whole of SG 🤧🤧 Been coming back here for 4-5 years now and I don’t think I’ll get sick of it anytime soon. Love that it’s just the right amount of spice and numbness. Everything is perfect.
Raymond Yap
Meats are unusually tender. Flavorful. Probably one of the best Mala in town. Not too spicy too, their medium spicy is mild.
Caleb
One of the better Mala xiang guo in the area in my opinion. The dish not only had spicy and numbing notes but also had savory flavours which made the mala xiang guo not taste so one dimentional. Taste wise (i ordered medium spice), it leans towards the numbing side while the spiciness is less pronounced. one must consume the dried chillies to increase the intensity of the spice. It is worth noting that this mala is less oily then conventional ones which somehow makes it less sinful to consume.
Website: –
Contact: –
Location: 823A Tampines Street 81, Singapore 521823
Opening Hours: Monday – Tuesday & Thursday – Sunday: 11:30 AM – 9 PM | Closed on Wednesdays
4. Labula Mala Xiang Guo
Labula Mala Xiang Guo is a go-to spot for delicious and mouth-watering mala xiang guo in Singapore. Regulars rave about their flavourful 辣子鸡 (spicy chicken) and standard mala pot, which consistently delivers superior taste compared to other shops. The dishes are perfectly spiced, combining numbing and spicy elements with savoury notes. With its scrumptious offerings, Labula Mala Xiang Guo ensures a satisfying dining experience that keeps patrons returning for more. Whether you are a first-timer or a regular, Labula Mala Xiang Guo is a must-visit for anyone seeking an exceptional mala meal in Singapore.
Customer Reviews:
Charlene Chia
Ate here many times and the food is delicious! Will always get the 辣子鸡 and the standard mala pot.
Harold Yeh
Your ma la Xiang guo is very mouthwatering and scrumptious, superior to other shops.
Shuwei Lin
Really like the taste of the malaxiangguo l. Will come here again.
Website: https://www.labula.sg/
Contact:
Tampines : 9123 0088
Pasir Ris: : 8068 9158
Pungool: 8870 6606
Hougang,#01-895 : 8870 6606
Hougang,#01-923: 8849 1599
Yishun: 8918 7928.
Location:
822 Tampines Street 81, Singapore 520822|
1 Pasir Ris close Downtown East # 01-310 Singapore 519599
681 Punggol Dr Oasis Terraces #01-07, Singapore 820681
683 Hougang Ave 8 #01-895 , Singapore 530683
683 Hougang Ave 8, #01-923, Singapore 530683
233 Yishun Street 21, #01-466, Singapore 760233.
Opening Hours: 10:30 AM – 4:30 AM Daily
5. Lao Da Mala Xiang Guo
Lao Da Mala Xiang Guo is renowned for its consistent, flavourful dishes, making it a great choice for mala lovers in Singapore. Patrons appreciate the option to request less oil and salt, enhancing the unique herbal aftertaste. The mala xiang guo boasts the perfect balance of spice and numbness without being overly oily, making it a go-to spot for mala cravings. Their 辣子鸡 (spicy fried chicken) is particularly praised for its crispy texture, fresh oil, and fragrant, generous use of chilli and Sichuan peppers. Lao Da Mala Xiang Guo delivers a satisfying, high-quality dining experience every time.
Customer Reviews:
Vinc Tan
One of the more consistent mala place we go to and probably one of the best we had in sg. They always serve it right when we request for Less oil and salt. Have a unique herbal after-taste to it.
Chia Sze Yee
Tried their mala xiang guo and I was blown away by it’s fragrance. Definitely one of the better mala xiang guos I’ve tasted – the right amount of spice, numbness, and most importantly, not too oily. This will now be my go-to place when I have mala cravings (: will try their la zi ji the next time too!
Geoffrey Bautista
他们的辣子鸡最好吃! Their spicy fried chicken (Chongqing style) is the best! I swear to God I order this all the time because they’ve done it the best vs everything else I’ve tried. Crispy, fresh oil, fragrant, generous chili and Szechuan peppers. Please don’t ever close down 老大. 👌🏻🥹
Website: –
Contact: 6744 3022
Location: 271 Geylang Rd, Singapore 389324
Opening Hours: 11 AM – 3 AM Daily
6. Ming Sheng Mala Spicy Pot
Ming Sheng Mala Spicy Pot is highly regarded for its delicious mala xiang guo in Singapore, earning praise for its balanced flavours and excellent service. The friendly owner guides first-time customers on choosing the right spice level, ensuring a pleasant experience. Regular patrons appreciate the consistent quality and flavourful dishes, which are not overly salty or oily. Comparable to popular spots in Chinatown, Ming Sheng offers a top-notch mala experience in the area. The commendable service and tasty, well-prepared dishes make it a favourite among mala enthusiasts, promising a satisfying meal with every visit.
Customer Reviews:
peisi wei
Came to the stall after seeing good reviews. Enjoyed the Mala Xiangguo n the taste was of the better one than I had with other stalls. Boss was very friendly and recommended us to start level of spiciness as it was our first time trying. Will come back again to try other dishes.👍
GT
Have been supporting the store ever since it opened. One of the best mala xiang guo around the area. Food is comparatively good as the popular one and service from the store owner is commendable. 好吃服务也很好. 👍👍👍
Elmo Red
One of the nicest mala xiangguo i have come across. Comparable to the established name in chinatown. Full of flavours and yet not overly salty nor oily. Highly recommended to all mala lovers.
Website: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/p/Ming-Sheng-Mala-Xiang-Guo-100066722563194/
Contact: 9050 1757
Location: 111A Whampoa Rd, Singapore 322111
Opening Hours: Monday – Wednesday & Friday – Sunday: 11 AM – 10 PM | Closed on Thursdays
Conclusion
All in all, the impressive array of Singapore’s mala xiang guo options, each with unique qualities that cater to diverse palates. From Ri Ri Hong’s budget-friendly portions at People’s Park Food Centre to Wan Xing’s late-night delicacies in Kovan, and Ri Ri Sheng’s perfect spice balance, there is something for everyone. Labula, Lao Da, and Ming Sheng further elevate the mala experience with their distinct flavours and exceptional service. These beloved spots ensure that Singapore remains a top destination for mala lovers seeking unforgettable culinary experiences.